Preview — The Hopper-Hill Family
by Erika S. Castiglione

The Hopper-Hill Family

Piper Hill had lived in the same house, with the same neighbors, and the same routine, most of her life. Seventh grade started the same as every year before it, but everything changed when her dad received a phone call about a tragedy that lead Piper’s three cousins (and their dog) to live with her.

Now Piper wonders where her sixteen year old cousin, Seth, goes when he gePiper Hill had lived in the same house, with the same neighbors, and the same routine, most of her life. Seventh grade started the same as every year before it, but everything changed when her dad received a phone call about a tragedy that lead Piper’s three cousins (and their dog) to live with her.

Now Piper wonders where her sixteen year old cousin, Seth, goes when he gets angry, how to handle the rapid mood swings of six-year-old Sam, and what to say to fifteen-year-old Cora when she cries. Things get even more complicated when Uncle Carlos shows up out of nowhere and needs a place to stay, and her cute neighbor, Knox, drops by more than usual. Even her parents and her best friend, Lois, seemed to have changed overnight. When things seem like they can’t get more chaotic, her mother makes an announcement that surprises them all....more

Community Reviews

Piper Hill has always wished for a brother and sister, but when tragedy strikes her family, she soon has three cousins and a dog living with her and her parents. She soon realizes that having a bigger family is a lot harder than she thought, especially when grief plays a roll. Through the first year as a new family, the Hopper-Hill’s struggle through changes and discover the biggest surprise of all – that healing and family come in many forms.

I picked The Hopper-Hill Family to read because I wanPiper Hill has always wished for a brother and sister, but when tragedy strikes her family, she soon has three cousins and a dog living with her and her parents. She soon realizes that having a bigger family is a lot harder than she thought, especially when grief plays a roll. Through the first year as a new family, the Hopper-Hill’s struggle through changes and discover the biggest surprise of all – that healing and family come in many forms.

I picked The Hopper-Hill Family to read because I wanted to read more about blended families, having always had an interest in adoption. I had no initial thoughts going into this story other than that. I’m glad that I took a chance on this sweet, uplifting story. Full of realistic family interactions, as well as the familiar angst of being in the seventh grade (I do not need a do-over, thanks!), the story of Piper’s family growing by three (and a dog) is an easy, endearing read that suits young adults and adults alike.

Piper is a mature for her age, but it feels realistic within the story’s context – she’s an only child, doesn’t see much of her extended family, so she basically spent most of her time with her parents. Though she may not be the typical twelve-year-old, her thoughts and actions still ring true for that age. Though I’m sure there are more lessons for her to learn, this is such a sweet glimpse of her coming of age story. There were several instances where Piper’s thoughts made me think, “oh, me too, me too!” I love when that happens while I’m reading because it truly makes the character feel real.

The other characters feel realistic, too, and I think my favorite character is cute, six-year-old Sam, Piper’s cousin. It is obvious Erika knows children and worked to make sure that her character’s came across as realistic. Sam’s character brought to mind a lot of little boys I know, while still being his own unique self. The relationship that develops between him and Piper really won me over.

Erika handled the somber issues of death and grief with dignity and an appropriate level of gravity, without ever allowing the story to be bogged down by sadness. Anyone that has dealt with the loss of a loved one or close friend has probably felt emotions similar to those portrayed here. The reactions of the characters feel genuine and completely understandable, whether as a result of grief or trying to blend together as a new family.

The Hopper-Hill Family, despite being a shorter read, is full of complex, genuine emotion and interactions. I hope that Erika writes more in the future – should she do so, I will definitely have her next book on my to-read list....more

Oh to be in seventh grade! Castiglione captures the feeling all too well. The in between of adulthood and childhood that you think you'll never escape is felt while Piper navigates the abrupt changes in her family situation. This was such a lovely debut YA novel, and I look forward to more from this author! She dealt with difficult issues in a warm, authentic way. At points, I wanted to cry but I smiled to myself for most of the book, nodding in agreement.

I couldn't put this book down. It made me laugh and cry. It is a wonderful story of an only child that ends up with a very large family. 12 year old Piper is smart and very insightful. As she observes her surroundings, you can't help but be drawn into her world and thoughts and emotions.

A sweet book for middle-school readers and up about the struggles of losing loved ones, and the healing process afterwards. Piper, an only child, is suddenly sharing her home with her three cousins from Colorado. Her narrative is sweet and it was interesting to hear how she, as a 12-year-old, perceived grief, as well as how each of the three cousins dealt with it.

Erika is a writer and teacher's assistant. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, her daughter, her two sons, and their dog, Pippin. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in English. Since that time, she has also lived in China, Georgia, and Massachusetts.